Mattia Missiroli, the mayor of Cervia, a Democratic Party member and close associate of Regional President Michele de Pascale, who lives in the Ravenna town, is accused of mistreatment and assault on his wife, from whom he is separating. The Ravenna Prosecutor's Office requested a prison sentence, but the investigating judge (GIP) recently denied it. Missiroli, 44, is therefore under investigation at large, but prosecutors appear ready to file an appeal.
The issue, besides being a criminal one, is also a political one, as the holidays draw near: the Brothers of Italy party has called for a resignation, while the Democratic Party (PD) is currently silent. A freelance architect and former local Democratic Party secretary, Missiroli had achieved some notoriety thanks to his participation as a defender in the first football reality show, "Campioni, il sogno."
He has been mayor since June 10, 2024, when, supported by a center-left list that, in addition to the Democratic Party, also included the Five Star Movement, the Green Left, and two civic lists, he was elected with 56.11% of the vote. The case related to alleged domestic abuse began on December 5, when his wife presented to the emergency room in Ravenna with an arm injury (seven-day prognosis), reporting that she had fallen to the ground after being pushed hard . As confirmed by her lawyer Giovanni Scudellari, she never formally filed a complaint; however, faced with a code red case, it was the doctors who activated the appropriate protocol, alerting the police. In the following days, she was interviewed by the Flying Squad, and finally last Tuesday she presented herself to the investigators for final details.
Overall, including a photo of a lip broken by an alleged slap and a couple of videos, he allegedly outlined a domestic situation characterized by insults and even some previously undisclosed episodes of violence, the oldest of which dates back to 2012. For his part, the mayor, through his lawyer Ermanno Cicognani, "firmly rejected such serious and defamatory accusations. In 16 years of marriage, with two children, he has never engaged in violent behavior toward his wife. The ongoing separation involves aspects that could lend themselves to exploitation."
The lawyer finally added that Missiroli "will prove his innocence as soon as he is able to examine the documents, also considering any legal action to protect himself." The judge rejected the request for custody, noting that the alleged incidents were episodic and that the man left the house the day after his wife's visit to the emergency room. However, after a couple of days away, the mayor returned to his home. "What happened, if the investigations confirm the charges, is of unprecedented gravity that casts a sinister light on an institution, the municipal one, which cannot afford to be touched by such shadows," wrote the Brothers of Italy party. For this reason, "we would expect the very party to which the mayor of Cervia belongs," namely the Democratic Party, "to ask him to step back."
The Democrats have not yet announced a position, although there were several meetings and discussions throughout the day.
(Unioneonline)